The New York Cosmos

Remember the Cosmos

The New York Cosmos put U.S. soccer on the world map in the 1970s. For those that are old enough to remember, soccer exploded in the United States when Pele, Beckenbauer, Chinaglia and many other international superstars of the time joined the Cosmos in New York City, stunning an American audience and the American sports world.

Since then, soccer grew into a sport played by millions of kids across the country, and the U.S. teams became serious contenders in international competition in all age groups and for men and women alike, but Cosmos hasn’t had a team since 1985. The New York Cosmos is now making a comeback and is on its way to becoming an expansion team in the MLS. Still infused with flair, fabulousness and the promise of greatness, the club has lost none of its international name recognition or the ability to rally masses around the world, more than any other sports team in the United States. The Cosmos could take club soccer in the United States into its rightful future.

The New York Cosmos is without a doubt the most well known U.S. soccer club in the world. It’s the only club with an international reputation beyond the CONCACAF. This is my personal opinion, but it is shared by many foreign experts in the sport. While in some cases the MLS has not been popular, and neither has Cosmos, the name “Cosmos” made people talk about American soccer. Even people with no interest in soccer recognize the New York Cosmos and associate the name with “good times in soccer.”

I don’t intend to talk down the other clubs in the MLS or the MLS itself, but it is a fact that plays an important role in the history of the Cosmos. The club created a significant “buzz” when it first came about and much of that excitement is still around. Many experts even say that without Cosmos, there would be no U.S. soccer today. Whether that is true or not doesn’t really matter, the fact is the New York Cosmos still has that “buzz”, and that is a buzz that could be put to good use by all in U.S. soccer, and should.

Some say that the Cosmos should not come back doing the same stuff it did in the 1970s with buying all the world stars out there. That will not happen; the rules and structure of the MLS take care of that. As Commissioner Garber said, “they will have to play by our rules.” The Cosmos have already agreed.

4 responses to “The New York Cosmos”

When I first heard of the Cosmos was like hearing about the Harlem Globetrotters…fantasy players in a fantasy football team. Their return is undoubtely fantastic news and I wish them the best. Maybe soon we’ll see them in final of the Toyota Cup againts Madrid or Barca…what a game!

I really remember those times back in the 70s when it felt like the US was taking ‘The Beautiful Game’ seriously. I know you’ve come a long way since then at grassroots level but the MLS needs a star team.

Liverpool, Barcelona, Boca, Inter, Ajax etc etc etc … it would be great to have a US side amongst the legendary teams one day, and for my generation, New York Cosmos remain the best option!